The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) said it had received reports of the importation of fake vaccine into Nigeria.
In a public alert raised by NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, on Friday, January 15, 2021, she warned Nigerians that the agency has not yet approved any vaccine for public use.
She said COVID-19 vaccines are new, and the side effects or adverse effects must be well monitored, therefore, if NAFDAC has not approved, the public should not use.
“There are reports of fake vaccines in Nigeria. NAFDAC is pleading with the public to beware. No Covid Vaccine has been approved by NAFDAC. Fake vaccines can cause Covid-like illnesses or other serious diseases that could kill,” she said.
Adeyeye also warned private companies, big corporations, and government agencies not to order any vaccines that have not been examined and approved by the regulatory body.
She said NAFDAC has already started discussions with COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers concerning potential Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), registration or licensing of their product.
The agency will welcome their EUA applications if Phase 3 clinical data are very convincing and robust with regards to safety and efficacy, and the vaccines have been submitted to the World Health Organisation (WHO) for Emergency Use Listing.
